Taxi Driver Online

I seek information on behalf of a colleague. He has developed class 2 diabetes and is insulin dependent. Our local council has tried to take his badge but he is fighting it through the courts. The latest info he has had from council is that they may be looking to alter the rules, as per other licensing authorities, to allow him to continue under certain restrictions. His lawyer has then asked if he can find any other local council known to allow such a case to drive by their rules. Anyone out there who can definately confirm this would be doing this guy a huge favour if they let me know, via this forum, which licensing council and. if poss, what the rules are,

Ta!

We have diabetic drivers here licensed by Sefton MBC. They had to inform dvla and they have to get regular medical checks, but so long as dvla consider them fit enought to hold a driving licence our local authority is happy to license them for taxi driving.

If you need to pick their brains, Sefton Licensing direct number is 0151 285 3383, senior man John Thompson, second in command is Lorna.

Good luck!

Regards

DeltaStaff

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Don't knock it, 'til you try it....

Many Authorities are allowing C1 exemptions for obtaining a license so if your friend can obtain one it may be advantageous?

The Government best practice guidance, which is due out later this year or early next year, will include guidance for diabetic licensing. Diabetes UK was consulted so I think you might find the DfT may be sympathetic in their opinion of how the rules should applied?

People who use insulin to manage their diabetes can now drive taxis in London since the PCO changed their policy in January. The PCO requirement to obtain a private hire or hackney badge is a C1 licence or equivalent. You might wish to read the PCO policy on their website.

C1 licences are granted after applicants have successfully undertaken a strict medical assessment and the license must be renewed annually. I understand prior advice from the DVLA was to automatically ban Taxi drivers who treated their diabetes with insulin.

There is obviously case law on this subject but not much, however some of the links below may help you a little and in the meantime if I come across any relevant link I'll post it here. There are of course already one or two threads on this subject on TDO so you may wish to have a look at those.

http://www.diabetes-healthnet.ac.uk/han ... riving.htm

http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/dmed1_fi ... /diab1.pdf

http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/medical/agenda_main.htm

http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/medical/ ... Mar_06.htm

http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/medical/ ... rch_03.htm

http://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/markup.cg ... 3/230.html

http://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/markup.cg ... 1/558.html

http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/d ... 030551.pdf

http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/d ... 611426.pdf

Regards

JD

The latest report form the DfT is;

http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/d ... 611426.pdf

Basically it says that drivers who have only just developed type 2 are in no more danger to punters than those with the lesser ailment.

Even the PCO have changed their tune.

http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/vie ... php?t=3027

I think the reason your LOs are having a rethink is because of what the DfT said in their draft guidance.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/d ... p#P46_4628

It is clearly good practice for medical checks to be made on each driver as a condition for the initial grant of a licence and thereafter for each renewal. It is common for licensing authorities to apply the 'Group 2' medical standards applied by DVLA to the licensing of lorry and bus drivers. This seems best practice. The Group 2 standards preclude the licensing of drivers with insulin treated diabetes. However, exceptional arrangements do exist for drivers of C1 vehicles who can meet a series of medical criteria. In the light of the latest advice from the Secretary of State's Honorary Medical Advisory Panel on Diabetes Mellitus and Driving, it is suggested that best practice is to apply the C1 standards to taxi and PHV drivers with insulin treated diabetes.

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IDFIMH

The GMB proffessional drivers branch and The Private Hire Board won this issue in London and the GMB would of course be prepared to tackle this issue anywhere for our MEMBERS.We consider the PCO on many issues to represent best practice.no doubt due to our influence on KEN.We always recommend deal with the politicians.Not bueracrats or effing lawyers.